More Now Say It’s ‘Stressful’ to Discuss Politics With People They Disagree With
Over the past two years, Americans have become more likely to say it is “stressful and frustrating” to have political conversations with those they disagree with. The change in opinions has come largely among Democrats: 57% now say that talking about politics with people they disagree with is stressful and frustrating, up from 45% two […]
Elections in America: Concerns Over Security, Divisions Over Expanding Access to Voting
With a week to go before Election Day, Americans are confident their local election authorities are up to the essential tasks of making sure that elections are run smoothly and that votes are counted accurately.
Gun Policy Remains Divisive, But Several Proposals Still Draw Bipartisan Support
The partisan divide that for years has defined public opinion about the nation’s gun policies remains firmly in place. Yet there continue to be several specific policy proposals that draw broad support from both Republicans and Democrats.
Little Partisan Agreement on the Pressing Problems Facing the U.S.
With less than four weeks until the midterm elections, Republican and Democratic voters differ widely in views of the seriousness of numerous problems facing the United States, including the fairness of the criminal justice system, climate change, economic inequality and illegal immigration. Majorities of registered voters who support Democratic candidates for Congress rate 13 of […]
2018 Midterm Voters: Issues and Political Values
Supporters of Republican and Democratic candidates in the upcoming congressional election are deeply divided over the government’s role in ensuring health care, the fairness of the nation’s economic system and views of racial equality in the United States.
Trump Gets Negative Ratings for Many Personal Traits, but Most Say He Stands Up for His Beliefs
Donald Trump receives generally negative ratings from the public across a range of personal traits and characteristics. Just 24% of Americans say Trump is even-tempered, while nearly three times as many (70%) say that description does not apply to him. Fewer than half say that Trump is a strong leader (43%), well-informed (38%), empathetic (36%) […]
Voter Enthusiasm at Record High in Nationalized Midterm Environment
With less than six weeks to go before the elections for Congress, voter enthusiasm is at its highest level during any midterm in more than two decades.
Republicans, Democrats See Opposing Party as More Ideological Than Their Own
Republicans are far more likely than Democrats to view the Democratic Party as very liberal. And the pattern is similar, though less pronounced, in views of the GOP’s ideology: More Democrats than Republicans see the Republican Party as very conservative. When asked to evaluate the Democratic Party’s ideology, a majority of Republicans (55%) give […]
Partisan Divides in Views of Many Countries – but Not North Korea
Republicans and Democrats express overwhelmingly negative views of North Korea, but they diverge in opinions of several other countries – including Mexico, Iran, Russia and several U.S. allies.
Trump Has Met the Public’s Modest Expectations for His Presidency
Survey Report Just prior to the 2016 election, the public had fairly low expectations for Donald Trump’s presidency. Majorities of Americans said that if Trump was elected, he would not be likely to improve the way government works, set a high moral standard for the presidency or achieve other goals. And for the most part, […]
As Midterms Near, Democrats Are More Politically Active Than Republicans
Across a range of political activities – from attending political rallies to donating to campaigns – voters who back Democratic candidates for Congress are reporting higher levels of political activity than GOP voters.
For Most Trump Voters, ‘Very Warm’ Feelings for Him Endured
In the wake of Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory, an overwhelming majority of those who said they had voted for him had “warm” feelings for him.
Growing Partisan Differences in Views of the FBI; Stark Divide Over ICE
A new survey of public attitudes toward federal agencies finds that partisan differences in views of the FBI have increased markedly over the past year. And Americans’ opinions about Immigration and Customs Enforcement are deeply polarized.
Taking Sides on Facebook: How Congressional Outreach Changed Under President Trump
Democratic legislators’ opposition to political adversaries on Facebook spiked after Trump’s election, while “angry” reactions to posts by members of Congress increased among followers.
Americans Divided on Kavanaugh’s Nomination to the Supreme Court
A week after Donald Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to fill Justice Anthony Kennedy’s seat on the Supreme Court, the public is split in its early views of the nomination.
Obama Tops Public’s List of Best President in Their Lifetime, Followed by Clinton, Reagan
When asked which president has done the best job in their lifetimes, more Americans name Barack Obama than any other president.
Shifting Public Views on Legal Immigration Into the U.S.
While there has been considerable attention on illegal immigration into the U.S. recently, opinions about legal immigration have undergone a long-term change.
Voters More Focused on Control of Congress – and the President – Than in Past Midterms
The congressional elections are more than four months away, but voter engagement is high when compared with comparable points in previous midterm cycles.
Public Supports U.S. Talks With North Korea; Many Doubt Whether Its Leaders Are ‘Serious’
Survey Report Americans overwhelmingly support direct talks between the United States and North Korea over its nuclear program. About seven-in-ten (71%) approve of these talks, while just 21% disapprove. However, the public is skeptical about whether North Korea’s leaders are serious about addressing concerns over its nuclear program. Overall, 49% say North Korea’s leadership is […]
Public Is Skeptical of the Iran Agreement – and Trump’s Handling of the Issue
As Donald Trump prepares to announce his long-awaited decision on the Iran nuclear agreement, more Americans say they disapprove (40%) than approve (32%) of the agreement.